2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer

Summary

The 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer tells us that since 2014 an increasing number of Australians are proud of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and believe these cultures are important to Australia’s identity as a nation.

Almost all Australians continue to view the relationship between each other as important and many believe that it is possible that all Australians can be united, with 97% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and 89% Australians in the general community believing our relationship to be important.

In 2016 the Barometer surveyed 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and 2277 Australians in the general community across all states and territories. This is the largest sample size the Barometer has ever surveyed.

The 2016 report shows that:

  • Racism, both perceived and actual experiences, is increasing with 57% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians now agree Australia is a racist country, compared to 48% in 2014.
  • In the general Australian community, there are varying perceptions and attitudes towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples being responsible for their own disadvantage.
  • The influence of the media in perceptions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have increased since 2014 – this is particularly evident among Indigenous respondents. Read more Media insights into the 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer.
Cover of 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer.

2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer: Summary report

Cover of 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer.

2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer: Full report

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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